First Massivit 3D printer heads to NSW site

Composite Images of Artarmon, Sydney is the first POP, sign and display printer in NSW to commit to the giant 3D machine from Israeli-manufacturer Massivit, placing the order on the spot at drupa.

“There is nothing else like it,” says Composite CEO Bruce Scott. “We were looking for something to differentiate us from regular wide format roll and flatbed production, and the Massivit 1800 fitted that bill perfectly – so I went shopping.”

Delivery and installation will be completed in early September and is fully supported by freshly-appointed Massivit distributor Photo Electronic Services, who also represent Durst in Australia.

Composite Images is one of Australia’s leading sign, display, exhibition and point-of-purchase manufacturers with clients that include Qantas, Australia Post, and The Star. The company currently has several roll and flatbed devices, cutting and finishing capabilities.

“The possibilities for exciting, vibrant advertising and promotion are endless with this technology,” says Scott. “A beta site in New York tapped into Sony’s launch of the film Angry Birds and created 3D printed bus graphics, blended in with the wrapping and illumination. It can print virtually any concept in 3D, which can then be finished by wrapping, painting, airbrushing or burnishing.”

Massivit 1800’s size is not limited to the 1.8 m H x 1.5 m D platform capability. Larger 3D products can be printed in sections and then joined together.

“If a 3D production run is longer, then the thermoforming mould can be produced on the Massivit at a fraction of the cost and in less time than current methods,” says Scott.

The Massivit 1800 uses a special hardening gel rather than plastic filament to print in 3D, one reason why it is faster than most other offerings, and definitely bigger in output. It was developed by people who know wide-format intimately as they were involved with Idanit, Scitex and HP.

“The hard part will be keeping our operators and customers away from wanting to 3D print new creations!” beamed Bruce Scott, “Probably me as well.”